Propeller



Sept. 21 1926. v

' I J. w. CLEM fROPELLER I Filed Sept. 27. 1920 3 Sheets-Shee t 1warm/n4 any;

Se t. 21 1926. 1,600,932

. J. W. CLEM PBOPELLEH Filed Sept. 27, 1920 a Sheets-Sheet 2,

.1. w. CLEM Sept. 21 1926.

PROPELLER Filed Sept. 2'7.

1920 s Sheets-Sheet is INVENTOR 4 ATI'ORNEV wrrumis Patented Sept. 21,1926.

UN I T E S T A JOHNATHAN V7. CLEI/I, VJICT-IITA, KANSAS, ASSIG1\TOR OFONE-FOURTH TO CLIN- TON H. MONTGOMERY AND ONE-FOURTH T0 CLARENCE B.WHITESIDEQBOTH OF WICHITA, KANSAS.

PROPELLER.

Application filed September 27, 1920. Serial No. 412,979. v

The object of my present invention is the provision of a simple,compact, strong and reliable variable pitch propeller construc tion,adapted for use on airships as well as for use on marine vessels. 7

To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in theimprovement as hereinafter described and definitely claimed. 1

In the accompanying drawings, hereby made a part hereof: r Figure 1 is afront elevation of an airplane propeller constructed in accordance Withmy invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a broken detail side elevation, partly in section, of theimprovement.

Figure 4 is a detail transverse section taken in a plane in rear of thebody of the propeller.

Figures 5 and 6 are devices of a modification hereinafter explicitlyreferred to.

Figures 1 2 and 3 are views of a second modification hereinafterexplicitly referred to.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in Figures 1to 4: to which reference will first be made.

Among other elements my novel propeller construction comprises a tubulardrive shaft 1, through which is arranged to work a rectilinearly movableadjusting rod 2 which for the sake of lightness is preferably tubular asshown. On the said rod 2 is fixed a circumferentially grooved collar 3with which is engaged a control lever 4, Figure 3, equipped with adetent 5, arranged for cooperation with a rack 6, whereby the controlrod 2 may be adjustably fixed in the positions in which it is placed.

At its outer end the control rod 2 is provided with pintle portions 8.Pivoted on the said pintle portions 8 are links 19, for an importantpurpose hereinafter set forth. Fixed to the drive shaft 1 at the outerend thereof is a body 10, on which are bearings 11 for rock shaft12,each of which is provided on its outer portion with a propelling blade13. The rock shafts 12 are arranged in parallelism and are extended inopposite directions beyond the ends of the body 10. It will also benoted that each rock shaft 12 is provided with a thrust washer orabutment 14, arranged in opposed relation to one end of the body 10, andthat at its inner end each rock shaft is provided with a retaming nut orother appropriate device 15 to prevent displacement of the rock shaftfrom the body. Fixed to the rock shaft 12 at intermediate points in,thexle'ngth thereof are cranks 16 which are arranged to play in and beheld against lateral deflection in the body 10, the said body'lO beingbifurcated at 17 for the play of the cranks. The said cranks 16 arepivotally connected at 18 to the links 19, which are arranged uponopposite sides of the rod 2 as shown in Figure 3, and consequently itwill be seen that said cranks 16 will beheld against lateral deflection;also, that endwise movement of the control rod 2 will be attended. byturning of the rock shafts 12 about their axes. The shaft 1 and rod 2are adapted to' rotate together, and manifestly power may be applied toeither.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that inthe starting of anaeroplane the pro: peller pitch may be set for pulling, much after themanner of throwing an automobile into the first gear. Then after theaeroplane has gained a speed of say from to 40 miles an hour, theaviator by the use of the control lever can increase the pitch of theblades, and can regulate the blades at will Again when driving againstWhile in flight. heavy, winds the aviator may decrease the pitch of theblades, or when travelling with a strong wind can set the blades for aheavy pitch drive giving the blades more hold-or purchase on the air.

, It will also be apparent that the aviator is enabled to vary the pitchof the blades to meet any condition that may arise while the areoplaneis in the air or on the ground or on a body of water.

l/Vhile designed more particularly for use on aeroplanes, my novelpropeller construction may manifestly beused to advantage on otherairships as well as on marine vessels.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, the control rod 2 isprovided at its outer end with a T-head 7, and the links 19 areconnected to pintle portions 8 on the ends of said head 7 also, thecranks 16 are disposed at the outer sides of the bearings Themodification shown in Figures 1 2 and 3 is in the form of a unitapplicable to the flanged end 20 of a drive shaft 1 The splined on saidshaft 1 a body 1O on the shaft 1 parallel shafts 12 journaled inbearings 11 on-the head 10 and each carrying a propeller blade 13,cranks 19 on the shafts 12 and links l6 interposed between the collar 8and said cranks.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s: y

In a propeller construction, a tubular drive shaft, a rectilinearlymovable adjusting rod slidably mounted in said shaft, pintles projectingfrom opposite sides of the rod at one end thereof, a body memberattached V 'to theend of the tubular drive shaft, said body beingbifurcated upon one side to form spaced bearings, rock shafts mounted Vin said bearings upon opposite sides of the rod and extending across oneface of the body, crank arms attached to the rock shafts midway of thebearings and in alignment with the rod, propeller blades at the outerends of said rock shafts extending from opposite ends of the body out oflongitudinal alignment with each other, links upon opposite sides of therod forming pivotal connection between the pintles on the rod and thecranks, and a control lever having a connection with the movable rodwhereby to impart movement to said rock shaft for imparting rotativemovement to said propeller blades.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

J OHNATHAN W. CLEM.

